Crown molding and deck material attachments

ABSTRACT

An attachment device has a first member and a second member. The first member connects to a wall or another structure and the second member connects to a component, such as a piece of molding or decking, to be mounted to the wall or the other structure. The first and second members can be joined, such as by a snap fit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Any and all priority claims identified in the Application Data Sheet, orany correction thereto, are hereby incorporated by reference under 37CFR 1.57.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to attachment devices for mounting crownmolding and deck material and, more particularly, to such devices thatallow the materials to be snap fit into position.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is commonly desirable to apply decorative molding along theintersection of the walls and ceiling to cover unsightly, unfinishedgaps or defects and to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance.Primary concerns associated with the application of molding includeminimizing labor expenses, selection of materials, and costs and mannerof installation. Similar considerations are taken into account withrespect to attaching decking material to a deck frame.

Skilled labor is required to attach crown molding to walls and to attachdecking material to a deck frame. However, even through the employmentof skilled workers, installation of crown molding and decking materialmay still be very time consuming and very expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for a manner to attach crown molding and deckingmaterial in a relatively easy and inexpensive process, reducinginstallation time and labor costs. Disclosed herein are differentembodiments related to attachment devices adapted for attaching materialto walls and frames. In some embodiments, snap-fit attachment devicesare disclosed that permit installation of crown molding and deckingmaterial. The devices may have one or more portions that are configuredto flex when coupled to other portions of the devices to provide asecure attachment between different device portions.

In some embodiments, a molding attachment is provided, wherein themolding attachment may comprise a wall portion and a molding portion.The wall portion may couple the attachment to a wall, and the moldingportion may couple the attachment to molding.

In further embodiments, the wall portion may be secured to a wall andreceive support thereby. The wall portion may be coupled to the moldingportion and may thereby transfer support from the wall to the moldingportion. Accordingly, the molding may receive support from the moldingportion as the wall portion transfers support from the wall to themolding portion.

In other embodiments, a decking material attachment is provided. Thedecking material attachment may comprise a decking portion, a decksecuring portion, and a deck frame portion. In some embodiments, thedeck securing portion may secure the decking portion to deckingmaterial, and the deck frame portion may be secured to a deck frame. Thedeck portion and the deck frame portion may be coupled to each other,thereby transferring support from the deck frame to the deckingmaterial.

In yet further embodiments, an attachment device is provided forcoupling an attachment to a supporting structure. The attachment devicemay comprise a first portion having a first mating surface that extendsin a first plane and a first mounting surface. The first portion mayalso have means for mounting the first portion to a supporting structurewith the first mounting surface being disposed adjacent the supportingstructure. The attachment device may also comprise a second portionhaving a second mating surface that is configured to couple with andreceive support from the first mating surface and that extends in aplane substantially parallel with the first plane. The second portionmay also have a second mounting surface that is configured to permit thesecond portion to be mounted to an attachment with the second mountingsurface being disposed adjacent the attachment. The second mountingsurface may be configured to extend in a plane that intersects the firstplane when the first mounting surface extends either in a plane thatintersects the first plane or in a plane substantially parallel with thefirst plane.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain embodiments,advantages, and features of the invention have been described herein. Ofcourse, it is to be understood that not necessarily all suchembodiments, advantages, or features are required in any particularembodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-identified features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention now will be described with reference to the drawings ofseveral preferred embodiments, which embodiments are intended toillustrate and are not intended to limit the invention. The drawingscomprise 19 figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an attachment device wherein a wallportion is connected to a wall and a molding portion is connected to aposterior surface of a crown molding.

FIG. 2A is a front view of the wall portion shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the wall portion shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a side view of the crown molding portion shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B is a front view of the crown molding portion shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a wall portion anda molding portion.

FIG. 5A is a side view of another embodiment of a wall portion.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of another embodiment of a wall portionthat may be used with the molding portion of either FIG. 5A or FIG. 4.

FIG. 5C is a top view of the molding portion illustrated in FIG. 5A,showing a configuration of protrusions or balls in dashed lines.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a wall portion.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a wall portion.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of another embodiment of a wall portion.

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of a molding portion that may be used withthe wall portion of either FIG. 7A or FIG. 7B.

FIG. 8A is a side view of another embodiment of an attachment device.

FIG. 8B is a side view of another embodiment of an attachment device.

FIG. 8C is a perspective view of a wall portion of the attachment deviceof FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a side view of another attachment device, showing a deckingportion, a deck frame portion, and a deck securing portion.

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the deck frame portion of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C is a perspective view of the decking portion illustrated in FIG.9A.

FIG. 9D is a perspective view of the deck securing portion of FIG. 9A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the figures, certain embodiments will be described,which embodiments provide attachment devices adapted for attachingmaterial, such as crown molding and decking materials, for instance butwithout limitation, to walls and frames.

To provide a manner of attaching crown molding and decking material in arelatively easy and inexpensive process, reducing installation time, andlabor costs, various embodiments are disclosed herein that relate toattachment devices adapted for attaching material to walls and frames.In some embodiments, the devices are configured to be coupled in asnap-fit arrangement. The snap-fit arrangement may permit one or moreportions to be configured to flex when coupled to other portions of thedevices to provide a secure attachment between different deviceportions.

With initial reference to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a crown moldingattachment device 30 is illustrated, wherein the crown moldingattachment device 30 comprises a wall portion 32 and a molding portion34. The wall portion 32 may be configured in a generally L-shape, havinga base section 36 and a coupling section 38. As shown, the base section36 may abut a surface of a wall 40, and the coupling section 38 mayextend generally transverse to the wall 40 or the base section 36. Thebase section 36 may be used to attach the wall portion 32 to the wall40. The coupling section 38 may be used to couple with the moldingportion 34.

The molding portion 34 may include a top section 42 and a base section44. The base section 44 may be used to couple the molding portion 34 toa posterior surface 46 of a piece of crown molding 48. The top section42 of the molding portion 34 may extend transverse to the moldingposterior surface 46 and may be configured to couple with the couplingsection 38 of the wall portion 32.

As illustrated, the wall portion 32 may be secured to the wall 40 andreceive support thereby. The coupling section 38 may be coupled to thetop section 42 of the molding portion 34, and the coupling section 38may thereby transfer support from the wall 40 to the molding portion 34.The top section 42 may transfer support from the wall portion 32 to thebase section 44 and the molding 48. In this embodiment, the crownmolding 48 may receive support from the crown molding attachment device30 as the wall portion 32 transfers support from the wall 40 to themolding portion 34.

With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the wall portion 32 may include a topsection 50 and a transition section 52, in addition to the base section36 and the coupling section 38. The base section 36 preferably includesan anterior surface 54, which, when the wall portion 32 is mounted onthe wall 40, faces away from the wall 40. The base section 36 alsoincludes a posterior surface 56, which preferably faces the wall 40 whenthe wall portion is mounted thereon, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The basesection 36 may also include apertures 58, whereby screws, nails, bolts,etc. may be inserted therethrough to couple the base section 36 with thewall 40. Other attachment means may also be used for attaching the basesection 36 to the wall 40. For example, adhesive may be placed on theposterior surface 56 to secure the base section 36 to the wall 40.

The top section 50 may extend transverse to the wall 40, as illustratedin FIG. 1. The top section 50 may include a top surface 60, which may beconfigured to abut a ceiling (not shown) for guiding and aligning thewall portion 32. Of course, in some embodiments, the top surface 60 isnot configured to abut the ceiling. In other embodiments, the topsurface 60 can be secured to the ceiling by fasteners, adhesives, andthe like. In such embodiments, the base section 36 can be substantiallyshortened, or even omitted. The transition section 52 may be provided tooffset the coupling section 38 from the top section 50. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2B, the transition section 52 may lowerthe coupling section 38 to offset the coupling section from the ceilingwhen the top surface 60 abuts the ceiling. In other embodiments, thetransition section 52 may raise the coupling section above or below thetop section 50, and the transition section 52 does not require the topsurface 60 to abut the ceiling. In one embodiment, the top section 50may extend at about 90 degrees from the base section 36 while in otherembodiments, the top section 50 may extend at an angle between about 70degrees and about 110 degrees from the base section 36. In yet otherembodiments, the top section 50 may extend at angles significantly lessthan about 70 degrees or significantly greater than about 110 degrees.

The coupling section 38 may include a first coupling surface 62, ormating surface. As illustrated, the coupling surface 62 may be on thetop of the coupling section 38. In some embodiments, the first couplingsurface 62 may be corrugated or may provide other means for increasingthe grip or friction created between the coupling section 38 and the topsection 42 of the molding portion 34. The coupling section 38 may extendanteriorly from the transition section 52 to an anterior end 64. Asmentioned, the coupling section 38 may be offset from the ceiling whenthe top surface 60 abuts the ceiling. In this embodiment, a space may beprovided between the first coupling surface 60 and the ceiling toaccommodate placement therein of the top section 42 of the moldingportion 34.

The wall portion 32 may include a width 66 and a height 68, asillustrated in FIG. 2B. The wall portion 32 may also include a depth 70that extends from the posterior surface 56 to the anterior end 64 of thewall portion 32. As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the wall portion 32 may alsoinclude a length 72. The width 66 of the wall portion 32 may besubstantially uniform, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, or the width may varybetween the different sections or even within the same section. Theheight 68 is preferably sufficient to provide an adequate lever arm tosupport a force that will be placed on the coupling section 38 as thewall portion 32 supports the molding portion 34 and the molding 48. Theheight 68 should be small enough to be concealed by the molding wheninstalled. The depth 70 may vary according to the different angles andsizes of the crown molding 48 that is to be attached to the wall 40.

With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the top section 42 of the moldingportion 34 may have a top surface 74, which may be configured to abutthe ceiling when the molding 48 is installed. It is noted, however, thatthe top surface 74 is not required to abut the ceiling, as the moldingportion 34 may be placed at nearly any location on the molding posteriorsurface 46. The top section 42 also preferably includes a secondcoupling surface 76, which may be configured to couple with the firstcoupling surface 62 of the wall portion 32. As illustrated, in someembodiments, the second coupling surface 76, or mating surface, may becorrugated, or other means may be used to increase the friction betweenthe second coupling surface 76 and the first coupling surface 62. Forexample, adhesive or magnets may be used between the second couplingsurface 76 and first coupling surface 62. In some embodiments, thecorrugations on the first and second coupling surfaces 62, 76 may beinterlocking slots. As illustrated, the top section 42 may be configuredto be parallel with the coupling section 38 when the molding portion 34is coupled to the wall portion 32.

One advantage of forming the first and second coupling surfaces 62, 76with corrugations is that the surfaces 62, 76 may not be required to beparallel when the portions 32, 34 are installed. For example, in someembodiments, the coupling section 38 of the wall portion 32 may beconfigured to deflect when the coupling section 38 is coupled to the topsection 42 of the molding portion 34. The deflection may permit asnap-fit arrangement between the two portions 32, 34, and may obviatethe need for the first and second coupling surfaces 62, 76 to beparallel during assembly. The deflection may also increase the frictionbetween the coupling surfaces 62, 76 and reduce the likelihood of theportions 32, 34 from disengaging from one another. In some embodiments,other sections of the portions 32, 34 may permit deflection other thanthe coupling section 38 or the top section 42. For example, the topsection 50 or the transition section 52 may permit deflection. While itmay be advantageous for one or more sections to permit deflection, it iscontemplated that the attachment device 30 may be assembled without anysections permitting deflection.

The base section 44 preferably extends at an angle 78 (FIG. 3A) from thetop section 42. The angle 78 may be configured to correspond to theangle at which the molding 48 is set against the ceiling and the wall40. Angles for the molding may vary depending upon the type of moldingand the configuration of the molding 48 used. Measurements of the crownmolding 48 may be taken with respect to a 90 degree relationship betweenthe wall 40 and the ceiling. Some measurements for crown molding anglesare 45/45, 52/38, 53/37, and 58/32, wherein the second number representsan angle at which the crown molding is oriented with respect to the wall40. For example, with an angle of 58/32, an angle between the wall 40and the molding 48 will be 32 degrees, and the angle between the molding48 and the ceiling will be 58 degrees. Accordingly, in some embodiments,the angle 78, at which the base section 44 is separated from the topsection 42, may correspond with the first angle identified in theabove-described angle referencing manner. Of course, the crown moldingattachment may be configured to attach molding having angles other thanthose listed above. In some embodiments, the angle 78 may be an acuteangle.

The base section 44 has an anterior surface 80 and a posterior surface82. The anterior surface 80 is preferably configured to abut the moldingposterior surface 46 and to be coupled thereto. The posterior surface 82preferably faces the wall portion 32 and the wall 40. The base section44 also preferably includes molding portion apertures 84 that extendthrough the base section 44. The apertures 84 may be configured topermit placement therethrough of nails, screws, bolts, etc. for couplingthe molding portion 34 to the molding 48. Other means of coupling themolding portion 34 to the molding portion 48 may be used. For example,adhesive may be placed on the anterior surface 80 of the base section 44or on the posterior surface 46 of the molding 48 to secure the moldingportion 34 to the molding 48.

The molding portion 34 preferably includes a width 86 that may beuniform throughout the molding portion 34, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, orthe width 86 may vary between the top section 42 and the base section 44or even within each section. The molding portion 34 also includes adepth 88 that may vary depending upon the depth 70 of the wall portion32 and the angle 78 of the molding portion 34. The molding portion 34may also include a length 90 that may vary depending upon differentapplications.

With reference to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the crown moldingattachment device 30 is illustrated, which includes a different mannerof coupling the coupling section 38 of the wall portion 32 with the topsection 42 of the molding portion 34. According to this embodiment, thefirst coupling surface 62 may include a first coupling member 86. Thefirst coupling member 86 may comprise a series of holes, or detents,that may permit placement therein of a protrusion, e.g., a ball, a pin,or portion thereof. The molding portion 34 may include a second couplingmember 88 that may include protrusions that are configured to engagewith the first coupling member 86. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the firstcoupling member 86 may include a series of holes that may accommodatethe second coupling member 88 according to different arrangements,different molding 48 sizes, or different crown molding attachment device30 sizes. Other configurations may also be used. For example, the firstand second coupling members 86, 88 may include interlocking ridges orteeth, or other snap-fit arrangements, which couple the molding portion34 with the wall portion 32.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, yet another embodiment of the crownmolding attachment device 30 is shown. In this embodiment, the wallportion 32 may include a third coupling member 90, which may include aseries of smaller holes or detents to accommodate smaller protrusions orballs on the second coupling surface 76 of the molding portion 34. Asshown in FIG. 5A, the second coupling surface 76 may include a fourthcoupling member 92 which may consist of a smaller protrusion than thesecond coupling member 88. The third coupling member 90 and the fourthcoupling member 92 may be offset from the first coupling member 86 andthe second coupling member 88 in order to reduce the likelihood of thefourth coupling member 92 inadvertently coupling with the first couplingmember 86 or to reduce the likelihood of the second coupling member 88inadvertently coupling with the third coupling member 90. In oneembodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, the fourth coupling member 92 maybe offset inside the second coupling member 88, as shown by the dashedlines. Offsetting the coupling members 86, 88, 90, 92, may permit alimited permissible coupling arrangement. For example, in someembodiments, the coupling members 86, 88, 90, 92 may permit only one oronly two configurations.

Another embodiment of the wall portion 32 is illustrated in FIG. 6. Inthis embodiment, the wall portion 32 may include a positioning portion94 that extends from the base section 36. In this embodiment, thepositioning portion 94 may include a top surface 96 that is configuredto abut the ceiling to provide easy and quick installation andapplication of the wall portion 32. Additionally, the positioningportion 94 may provide an increased width in the base section 36 toprovide added support to the coupling section 38, which extendstransversely from the top portion 94 and the base section 36.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate yet another embodiment of the wall portion 32that utilizes a similar structure as the embodiment of the wall portion32 illustrated in FIG. 6. In FIGS. 7A and 7B, the wall portion mayinclude a separate positioning piece 98. The positioning piece 98 mayinclude a top surface 100 that is configured to abut the ceiling whenthe wall portion 32 is applied. The positioning piece 98 preferably alsoincludes a posterior surface 102 that is configured to attach to or toabut the wall 40. The positioning piece 98 of FIGS. 7A and 7B or theposition portion 94 of FIG. 6 may provide additional support for thecrown molding attachment device 30 by reinforcing the wall portion 32 byhaving an increased thickness, for example.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the wall portions may include acoupling section 38 that may use different means of coupling with themolding portion 34. For example, a ball detent may be used, asillustrated in 7A, a corrugated surface may be used, as illustrated in7B, or other suitable means may also be used.

As illustrated in 7C, the molding portion 34 may also assume alternateconfigurations. For example, the molding portion 34 may include a topportion 103 that includes a top surface 104 that may be configured toabut the ceiling. The molding portion 34 may also include a transitionsection 106 that is configured to offset a coupling section 108 from thetop portion 103. The molding portion 34 may be used in connection withthe wall portion 32 of FIGS. 7A and 7B, or it may be used with the wallportion 32 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

Upon application, the molding portion 34 is connected to the molding 48,and the wall portion 32 is connected to the wall 40 or other structure.Adhesive may be used to couple the portions 32, 34 to the molding 48 orstructure, or other means previously mentioned may also be used. Forexample, fasteners, nails, bolts, etc. may also be used to couple theportions 32, 34. Multiple attachment devices 30 may be spaced accordingto the need for support along the wall 40 or other structure. In oneembodiment, the attachment devices are placed about 12 inches apart. Inother embodiments, the attachment devices are placed between about 6inches and about 24 inches apart. In yet other embodiments, theattachment devices are placed significantly less than about 6 inches ormore than about 24 inches apart. The molding 48, with the moldingportion 34 attached thereto, is disposed adjacent to the wall portion32, and the first and second coupling surfaces 62, 76 are engaged, forexample, by pressing the molding 48 toward the wall 40 or otherstructure.

FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate additional embodiments of the crown moldingattachment device 30. In FIG. 8A, the base section 36 of the wallportion 32 may include a hook 112 on the base section 36. Asillustrated, in some embodiments, the hook 112 may openly extendanteriorly of the wall 40. The top section 50 of the wall portion 32 mayextend along the ceiling transverse to the wall 40. Of course, in someembodiments, the top portion 50 may be offset from the ceiling.

The wall portion 32 may also include an anterior section 110 thatextends from the anterior end 64 of the top section 50 to the hook 112of the base section 36. The bottom end 114 of the anterior section 64may be configured so as to be flexibly disposed within the hook 112.Accordingly, the anterior section 110 may flexibly pivot about theanterior end 64 within the hook 112 when a force is applied against ananterior surface 116 of the anterior section 110. In one embodiment, theanterior section 110 is biased anteriorly, and the anterior section 110is held in place by the hook 112 engaging the bottom end 114 of theanterior section 110. Although FIG. 8A illustrates the wall portion 32coupled to the wall 40 by a nail 118, the wall portion 32 may be coupledto the wall by screws, bolts, adhesive, etc. As shown in the perspectiveview of FIG. 8C, the anterior section 110 may be tapered betweenanterior end 64 and the bottom end 114 to facilitate access to the basesection 36 when mounting the wall portion 32.

With reference to FIG. 8A, the molding portion 34 may include anattachment portion 117 and a coupling portion 119. The attachmentportion may include a posterior surface 122 that is configured to couplewith the anterior section 110. The attachment portion 117 may alsoinclude an anterior surface 124 that is configured to attach to themolding 48. The coupling portion may include a bottom section 120 thatis configured to be offset from the attachment portion 117 to permitplacement of the hook 112 between the bottom section 120 and the molding48. The molding portion 34 may be attached to the molding 48 by nails orby other means, e.g., bonding adhesive, screws, etc.

Upon application, the molding portion 34 is connected to the molding 48,and the wall portion 32 is connected to the wall 40. Adhesive ispreferably disposed on either or both of the anterior surface 116 of theanterior section 110 and the posterior surface 122 of the moldingportion 34. The molding 48, with the molding portion 34 attachedthereto, is disposed adjacent to the wall portion 32, and the bottomsection 120 of the molding portion 34 is inserted into the hook 112,displacing the anterior section 110 of the wall portion 32 posteriorly.The molding 48 and the molding portion 34 are then pressed posteriorlyagainst the wall portion 32 to enable the bonding adhesive on either orboth of the anterior surface 116 of the anterior section 110 and theposterior surface 122 of the molding portion 34 to permit coupling ofthe molding portion 34 to the wall portion 32.

In FIG. 8B, a similar embodiment of the crown molding attachment device30 is illustrated. In this embodiment, the anterior section 110 mayinclude a top ridge 126 that extends upward and anteriorly of the wallportion 32. A hook 128 may be provided on the attachment portion 117,which faces posteriorly and downwardly of the molding 48. Accordingly,adhesive may be placed on the posterior surface 122 of the attachmentportion 117 and on the anterior surface 116 of the anterior section 110to enable coupling therebetween of the wall portion 32 and the moldingportion 34. The hook 128 may engage the top ridge 126 so as to providesupport from the wall portion 32 to the attachment portion 117, therebysupporting the molding 48.

An advantage of using the attachment device 30 to install molding 48 isthat it requires much less refinishing than common application methods.Typically, the molding 48 is attached by nails that are driven throughthe face of the molding 48 into the wall. After the nails are driventhrough the face of the molding 48, substantial time is required torefinish the location of each nail. Such labor and time is not requiredwhen the attachment device 30 is used because the primary attachmentsare made behind the molding 48 and are not visible after installation.Additionally, according to common application methods, a great deal oftime and effort are made to ensure that the attachment nails are driveninto studs. Often studs are missed and the nails are secured only by thedrywall. However, when the attachment device 30 is used, the wallportion 32 may be configured to attach along the header, eliminating thetime typically required to locate the studs. When the attachment device30 is attached to the wall 40 by nails, for example, the nails may bedriven directly into the header.

According to similar principles for applying the crown moldingattachment device 30, FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate various embodiments inwhich a deck material 136 may be attached to a deck frame 138.Accordingly, in FIG. 9A, a deck material attachment 130 is provided. Thedeck material attachment 130 may include a deck portion 132 and a decksecuring portion 134. The deck securing portion 134 may secure the deckportion 132 to deck material 136. The deck material attachment 130 mayalso include a deck frame portion 140 that is configured to attach to adeck frame 138.

The deck portion 132 may include a base section 142 and a couplingsection 144. As illustrated in FIG. 9A, the base section 142 may beconfigured to be placed adjacent to the deck material 136 with thecoupling section 144 extending transverse thereto. The base section 142may include a top surface 146 that is configured to be disposed adjacentand coupled with the deck material 136. The base section 142 includes abottom surface 147 that faces away from the deck material 136. The deckportion 132 also preferably includes an aperture 148 that extendsthrough the base section 142.

The deck securing portion 134 may include a guiding section 150 that isconfigured to be disposed within the aperture 148 of the deck portion132. The guiding section 150 may include an elongated portion thatprotrudes from the deck securing portion 134, or other means may beprovided for guiding the deck securing portion 134 within, along,around, etc. the base section aperture 148. The deck securing portion134 also preferably includes a ridge 152 that is configured to engagethe bottom surface 147 of the deck portion 132. Also preferably includedin the securing portion 134 are apertures 154 that may permit placementtherein of nails, bolts, screws, etc. for attaching the deck securingportion 134 to the deck material 136.

In application, the deck portion 132 is placed against the deck material136, and the guiding section 150 of the deck securing portion 134 isplaced adjacent to the deck portion 132. The deck securing portion 134is then attached to the deck material 136, and the ridge 152 secures thedeck portion 132 to the deck material 136.

The deck frame portion 140 preferably includes an attachment section 156and a coupling section 158. As illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, thecoupling section 158 may be offset from the attachment section 156 andparallel thereto, being connected to the attachment section at a pointother than the top 160 of the attachment section or the bottom 162 ofthe attachment section. Of course, in some embodiments, the attachmentsection 156 may extend from either the top 160 or bottom 162. Asillustrated, an opening may exist along the top 160 of the deck frameportion 140 between the attachment section 156 and the coupling section158. The separation between the two sections 156, 158 preferably permitsplacement therein of the coupling section 144 of the deck portion 132.

The coupling section 144 is preferably configured to couple with thecoupling section 158 and the attachment section 156 of the deck frameportion 140 as the deck portion coupling section 144 is inserted intothe deck frame portion 140. Coupling may be assisted by a corrugatedsurface on adjacent or mating surfaces on either or both of the couplingsection 144 or the deck frame portion 140, or other means of attachmentmay be used as herein described with reference to other embodiments ofattachments 30, 130. The attachment section 156 also preferably includesapertures 164, which may be disposed near the bottom 162 of theattachment section 156. The apertures 164 may permit placementtherethrough of nails, bolts, screws, etc. to attach the deck frameportion 140 to the deck frame 138.

In application, the deck portion 132 and the deck securing portion 134are connected to the deck material 136 as herein described, and the deckframe portion 140 is connected to the deck frame 138. The deck material136 is then brought adjacent to the deck frame 138 with the couplingsection 144 near the attachment section 156 and the coupling section 158of the deck frame portion 140. Adhesive may be applied to the couplingsection 144, the attachment section 156, or the deck frame couplesection 158. The coupling section 144 is then inserted into the spacebetween the coupling section 158 and the attachment section 156 of thedeck frame portion 140, and the deck portion 132 is coupled to the deckframe portion 140. When the deck portion 132 is coupled to the deckframe portion 140, the deck material 136 is thereby coupled to the deckframe 138. The deck material attachment 130, which couples the deckmaterial 136 to the deck frame 138, may be used to independently couplethe deck material 136 to the deck frame 138, or the attachment 130 maybe used to supplement other attachment means that may also be used (fore.g., screws, nails, bolts, etc.).

When the deck material 136 is attached to the deck frame 138 via thedeck material attachment 130, the attachment 130 provides support andcoupling of the material 136 and frame 138 from underneath the deckmaterial 136. This may contribute to the aesthetic appearance of thedeck material 136. Commonly, nails or screws may be used to attach thedeck material 136 to the deck frame 138, leaving the nail heads or screwheads visible. Additionally, the nails or screws may occasionally loosenand the heads may rise above the deck material 136, presenting apotentially hazardous situation should someone inadvertently step on theraised nail or screw. The use of nails or screws may be reduced oreliminated when the deck material 136 is attached with the deck materialattachment 130, thus reducing the likelihood that nails or screws willbecome loose and cause injury. Further, the deck material attachment 130may provide an easy way to align the deck material 136 and secure it inplace, thus reducing the time and cost required for installation.

Similar advantages may be realized with application of the crown moldingattachment device 30. When the crown molding attachment device 30 isused, the use of nails to attach the crown molding to the wall may bereduced or eliminated. When nails are used to attach crown molding, agreat deal of time is spent correcting the blemishes caused by thenails. The crown molding attachment device 30 described herein attachesto the wall from the posterior side of the crown molding. Consequently,once the crown molding is attached to the wall, there are no externalvisible signs of attachment and little or no nail blemishes to correct.Use of the crown molding attachment device 30 may reduce the time andcost of installing crown molding by providing an easy way to align themolding and reducing the required time to correct defects caused by theinstallation.

The attachments 30, 130 may be made of sturdy plastics, such aspolypropylene or other appropriate plastics, or metals, such asaluminum, steel, or other appropriate metals. Other materials may alsobe used. The attachments 30, 130 may be formed, molded, shaped,extruded, machined or otherwise manufactured in other appropriate ways.The attachments 30, 130 may be provided independent of the molding ordeck material, or in some embodiments, the attachments 30, 130 may beattached to the molding or deck material during manufacture andassembly. In yet other embodiments, the attachments 30, 130 may beintegrally formed with the molding or deck material. For example, in oneembodiment, the molding may be formed of plastic, and the attachmentdevice 30 may be integrally formed on the posterior side of the plasticmolding.

Although the attachments 30, 130 have been described herein in thecontext of attaching crown molding to a wall and attaching deck materialto a deck frame, it is contemplated that various embodiments of theattachments 30, 130 may be used for other uses. For example, theattachments 30, 130 may be used for interior or exterior molding orsiding, or other applications that require attachment of two portions toeach other.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the context ofcertain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond thespecifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodimentsand/or uses of the present invention and obvious modifications andequivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of thepresent invention have been shown and described in detail, othermodifications, which are within the scope of present invention, will bereadily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon thisdisclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations orsubcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodimentsmay be made and still fall within the scope of the present invention.Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspectsof the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for oneanother in order to form varying modes of the present invention. Thus,it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosedshould not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments describedabove, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claimsthat follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for attaching a crown molding, themethod comprising: providing a crown molding attachment device with afirst portion and a second portion, the first portion having a topsection and a first support section and the second portion having asecond support section; attaching the first portion to a wall such thatthe top section abuts a ceiling and extends away from the wall along theceiling and such that the first support section is spaced from the topsection and extends away from the wall; attaching the second portion toa rear portion of the crown molding such that the second support sectionextends away from the crown molding at an acute angle; and coupling thefirst portion and the second portion by positioning the second supportsection between the top section and the first support section such thatsupport from the first portion is provided to the second portion.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first or second portion is attached tothe wall or rear portion of the crown molding by an adhesive.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first or second portion is attached tothe wall or rear portion of the crown molding by a nail.
 4. The methodof claim 1, wherein the first and second support sections are coupled byan adhesive.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second supportsection extends toward the wall when the first and second sections arecoupled.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first support sectioncomprises a first support surface.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein thesecond support section comprises a second support surface.
 8. The methodof claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the first support surface ispositioned entirely below the second support surface when the first andsecond support sections are coupled.
 9. The method of claim 7, whereinat least a portion of the second support surface is positioned over atleast a portion of the first support surface.
 10. The method of claim 7,wherein at least a portion of the second support surface is supportedabove at least a portion of the first support surface.
 11. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the first portion comprises a top surface offset fromthe first support surface.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein at least aportion of the second support section is supported with a pressure fit.13. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the secondsupport section is supported without a pressure fit.
 14. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a reinforced section.
 15. Amethod for attaching a crown molding, the method comprising: providing acrown molding attachment device with a first portion and a secondportion, wherein the first portion comprises a wall-engaging section, atop section, and a first support section such that the top sectionextends away from an upper portion of the wall-engaging section at about90 degrees and the first support section is offset below the top sectionand extends away from a lower portion of the wall-engaging section atabout 90 degrees in generally the same direction as the top section,wherein the first support section comprises a first support surface, andwherein the second portion comprises a molding-engaging section and asecond support section extending away from the molding-engaging sectionat an acute angle, and the second support section comprises a secondsupport surface; coupling the wall-engaging section of the first portionto a wall, wherein the top section abuts a ceiling, and wherein thefirst support section extends away from the wall when the first portionis coupled to the wall and the first support section is supported by thewall-engaging section; coupling the molding-engaging section of thesecond portion to a rear portion of the crown molding; and coupling thefirst and second support sections such that support from the firstportion is provided to the second portion, wherein the second supportsection extends toward the wall between the top section and the firstsupport section when the first and second support sections are coupled,and wherein at least a portion of the second support surface ispositioned over at least a portion of the first support surface when thefirst and second support sections are coupled.
 16. The method of claim15, wherein at least a portion of the first support surface ispositioned entirely below the second support surface when the first andsecond support sections are coupled.
 17. The method of claim 15, whereinthe first support surface comprises corrugations.
 18. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the wall-engaging section comprises apertures, andwherein coupling the wall-engaging section of the first portion to thewall comprises inserting fasteners therethrough to couple thewall-engaging section to the wall.
 19. The method of claim 15, whereinthe molding-engaging section comprises apertures, and wherein couplingthe molding-engaging section of the second portion to the rear portionof the crown molding comprises inserting fasteners therethrough tocouple the molding-engaging section to the crown molding.